This paper examines the White House Conference on the Family. The paper discusses many different topics including: purpose of and preparations for the conference, demographic characteristics of delegates, majority recommendations and minority report, issues left unexplored, responsibilities of a consulting sociologist and efforts of interest groups to shape issues to be discussed. An alphabetically arranged list of organizations submitting issues statements is provided with a tabulation as to whether they were successful, unsuccessful or ineffectual, as against issues adopted. Summaries of the final report to the President and of plans for implementation of recommendations are included. Personal observations and conclusions of the author, include the following. There is a need for sociologists to incorporate family policy material in marriage and family and social problems courses. The public is becoming increasingly aware of the impact of government on the family. It is anticipated that the marriage tax and pension and social security for older Americans will be dealt with by the government to eliminate discriminatory regulations. Family impact analysis is identified as a sociological tool which may be oversold. The need to develop the craft and train more people to undertake such research, together with promoting the necessary funding, is stressed. Confidence is expressed in the ultimate capacity of sociology to contribute to family policy dialogue. (Author/RM)